Rivermead date for Sprott

MICHAEL Sprott will take on Mark Potter in a final British title eliminator at Rivermead Leisure Centre next month - and this time all eyes will be fixed on the action inside the ring.

The town has been deprived of professional boxing since the disgraceful riots which followed Geoff McCreesh's British welterweight title defence against Michael Smyth in July 1998.

But now all attention will be firmly back on the ring as the Sprott fights for the Southern Area championship and a second shot at British heavyweight champion Danny Williams.

Although Potter (21-4-0) is unbeaten in his last six fights, Sprott's trainer Ricky Maslin believes he has a very good chance.

"If you look at the records you will see that the only real ‘name' Potter has fought is Danny Williams," said Maslin.

"He also lost to Antoine Palatis, who lost on points to Michael Holden in his last fight."

Holden was Sprott's last victim after the Reading heavyweight scored a technical knockout over the former British champion in Sheffield last month.

And Maslin continued: "If that's any indication then I feel Mike has a good chance against Potter."

The fight was originally scheduled to take place at the Utopia nightclub, in Calcot, on March 6.

But it has been moved to the Rivermead on Tuesday March 18 at the request of the BBC who will screen the fight, along with that of hotly-tipped cruiserweight prospect David Haye, who fights on the undercard.

Sprott will be bidding to become the town's first Southern Area champion since Les Stevens in 1974.

And the lure of a second shot at Williams - who suffered only the second defeat of his career against Sinan Samil Sam 10 days ago - will provide even further motivation for Sprott.

Also lined-up to fight on the undercard is Reading light-welterweight Nathan Ward, who is unbeaten in three contests since turning professional last September.